Moscow Embassy Files: Lot F–96
The American Ambassador in the Soviet Union (Standley) to the People’s Commissar for Foreign Affairs of the Soviet Union (Molotov)
My Dear Mr. Molotov: I have the honor to inform you that I have been requested to transmit the following message dated June 16 from President Roosevelt to Premier Stalin:
Secret and Personal Message From President Roosevelt to Premier Stalin
“I wish to reply herewith to your special request in connection with the supply of aluminum.
“In July, August and September the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics will receive from Canada and the United States the following shipments: (Long tons) Primary aluminum, 5,000 tons per month; Secondary aluminum, 1,000 tons per month.
“The secondary aluminum is of a high quality and we use it in the construction of airplanes.
“The monthly shipments of primary aluminum which is 1,000 tons over the agreement for 4,000 tons as contained in the Protocol may possibly make it necessary that succeeding shipments after September will have to be cut down in compensation. I hope that this will not be necessary. I regret that due to a shortage of primary aluminum we find it impossible to increase the Protocol Agreement amount. The secondary aluminum is, however, an additional offering. We will inform you again within the next two months regarding the schedule of shipments for October, November and December. We [Page 764] will also try to give you information on shipments for the rest of the protocol year at the same time.”
I would appreciate it if you would transmit the above message to Premier Stalin.
Sincerely,